This blog was created for Niles Animal Hospital & Bird Medical Center by Peter S. Sakas DVM in an effort to provide information & discussion about animal related issues. It may move into some eccentric directions on occasion if the mood strikes me as I get more comfortable in this form of communication. I am open to suggestions & comments about the blog. Also view our hospital website www.nilesanimalhospital.com or Facebook page Niles Animal Hospital and Bird Medical Center.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
-March 18, 2013 - Natura Pet Products is voluntarily recalling specific
lots of dry pet food because it has the potential to be contaminated
with Salmonella. No Salmonella-related illnesses have been reported.

Salmonella
can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from
handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not
thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or
any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella
should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms:
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and
fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments,
including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye
irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these
signs after having contact with this product should contact their
healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may
be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting.
Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain.
Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other
animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has
these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

These products
were made in a single production facility during a two week window in
December 2012. Routine testing by the Michigan Department of Agriculture
collected from a single retail location tested positive for the
presence of Salmonella. As a precautionary measure, Natura is voluntarily recalling all products from this production window.

The
affected products are sold in bags through veterinary clinics, select
pet specialty retailers, and online in the United States, Canada, Korea,
Malaysia, Japan, Hong Kong, and Costa Rica. Product expiration dates
range from 12/17/2013 – 1/2/2014. Product was distributed by Natura Pet
Products between December 18, 2012 through March 15, 2013. No other dry
food, canned food, biscuits, bars or treats are affected by this
announcement.

A complete list of products in the scope of this recall are listed at the end of this release. Additional information on these products can be found at www.naturapet.com.

Consumers who have purchased the specific dry pet foods listed should discard them.

For
further information or a product replacement or refund call Natura
toll-free at 800-224-6123. (Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM CST).